Leaders for Revival of Mardi Case
Govt probe, security for her family demanded
Serafina Mardi
Indigenous leaders and human rights activists yesterday demanded revival of the case for the gang rape of indigenous girl Serafina Mardi of Godagari upazila under Rajshahi district and taking necessary legal steps to punish the criminals. They also demanded that the government launch an investigation to find out the people responsible for influencing the court verdict following the out-of-court settlement that led to Serafina's suicide. Failing to cope with the humiliation at the 'settlement' by the community leaders and local Catholic church that the rapists would give Tk 1.4 lakh to victim Serafina's family while the victim was to be wed to Nirmol Murmu, one of the rapists, she set herself on fire on February 17. She died on February 21. Nine people were accused in the case filed after Serafina, daughter of Cornelius Mardi of Amtulipara in Godagari upazila, was gang-raped on April 4 last year. But all the accused are still at large while the victim's family gave a 'misleading' statement to the court following pressure from community leaders. “If the government ensure security and shelter to the victim's family, they would agree to file case against the rapists,” said Prof Dr Mahbuba Kanij Keya, general secretary of Rajshahi University chapter of Bangladesh Mohila Parishad. "The family is still under pressure of the community who earlier forced them to provide misleading information before the court and settle Serafina's rape case in arbitration," said Keya, who led a group of human rights activists visiting Serafina's village on Thursday. “There are provisions for reviving the case. The victim's family should play their role. Government agencies can help them by providing required support,” said Dil Sitara Begum Chuni, president of Rajshahi divisional unit of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association. Jatiya Adivasi Parishad president Anil Marandi said Christian and non-Christian indigenous leaders in a joint meeting held at Kakonhat Degree College premises also demanded immediate arrest and punishment to Serafina's rapists. At the meeting presided over by Gyan Chandra Majhi, speakers also demanded punishment to the arrested community leaders who illegally settled Serafina's rape case outside the court, eventually forcing her to commit suicide. A few participants, however, criticised the police for arresting religious and community leaders instead of the main culprits, the rapists. Rabindranath Soren, Bimol Rajoar, Rabindranath Khakah, Nicholas Murmu, Michael Soren, Rabin Hembrom, Deben Murmu, Nandalal Tudu and Ganesh Majhi also spke, among others.
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